Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Strider64

macrumors 68000
Dec 1, 2015
1,511
13,531
Suburb of Detroit
In HBO's defense it's kind of hard when GRRM hasn't finished his 6th book, so I really don't see a good conclusion coming from GOT. That is unless GRRM gets off his duff and finishes GOT, but even then I don't see a satisfactory ending. He seems to find a fascination in letting the "bad" guys win or changing the characters a little to make the more of a better person (King's Slayer?). I don't see any good in Ramsay at all and it would be foolish if the TV writers or GRRM did that to that character. An what a despicable ending if Ramsay came out on top. :mad:
 

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
In HBO's defense it's kind of hard when GRRM hasn't finished his 6th book, so I really don't see a good conclusion coming from GOT. That is unless GRRM gets off his duff and finishes GOT, but even then I don't see a satisfactory ending. He seems to find a fascination in letting the "bad" guys win or changing the characters a little to make the more of a better person (King's Slayer?). I don't see any good in Ramsay at all and it would be foolish if the TV writers or GRRM did that to that character. An what a despicable ending if Ramsay came out on top. :mad:
Well they discussed it all with him and he gave them information as to where he was taking the story and how he was planning on ending it, just now the actual details and how it was all exactly going to get there. So from the overall storyline and ending point of view, ultimately things should be fairly similar (unless he decides to change things up as he is actually writing it all down the line).
 

ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,909
I've seen in the disc extras that GRRM is not just consulting but also helping to write the screenplays himself. Even some of the differences between the show and the book were written into the show by GRRM. Some out of necessity for time, but if I'm not mistaken he mentioned at least some were actually improvements.
 

thewitt

macrumors 68020
Sep 13, 2011
2,102
1,523
I think you guys are reading much more into it than is true. GRRM has a severe case of writers block, self professed, and though he knows how things end, he has allowed the writers significant leeway in getting there. I don't see him writing any of the screen play. His blog is very interesting to read.
 

Roller

macrumors 68030
Jun 25, 2003
2,956
2,171
I thought they had stated that this was the last 10 episode season and then 2 more 6 episode seasons after this to wrap it all up.

With as much of the story all over the place, I don't see how they can wrap up in just 14 more episodes.

HBO is spending about $100m annually to shoot what the show runners have compared to a ten-hour movie, since they film out of sequence. That may be hard to sustain. Jack Bender's comment that season 7 would comprise only seven episodes seems to confirm that there will be two shortened seasons beyond 2016, but HBO hasn't confirmed that.

I agree that it will be challenging to wrap up, but the longer they go, the harder it will be to keep the leads and key personnel, unless they kill everyone off. Seven or eight years is a long time to be associated with a TV series. While many of the actors have appeared other movies and shows, I'm sure that some would like to move beyond GoT full time.

As for what's coming up, here's my speculation based on what I've read lately:
  • We'll see what happens with Ramsay Bolton in episode 9, which is titled "Battle of the Bastards." That has to refer to Jon and Ramsey. ("Inglorious Bastards" would have been cute, but I suspect that Quentin Tarantino would have complained.)
  • At some point, Jaime will get tired of being pushed around by his sister/lover and his son and will go off in a different direction, maybe even at Riverrun when Brienne shows up in the next episode.
  • King's Landing will be destroyed, either in the final episode this year or some time next season. Bran's vision showed a wildfire conflagration. There's a lot of the stuff stored under the city and when Cersei is finally cornered, this will be her scorched earth gambit.
  • Aria will... heck, I have no idea which of the various theories (and there are many) will come to pass. I hope we'll find out on Sunday.
 

ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,909
I think you guys are reading much more into it than is true. GRRM has a severe case of writers block, self professed, and though he knows how things end, he has allowed the writers significant leeway in getting there. I don't see him writing any of the screen play. His blog is very interesting to read.

That's a fair point. I don't read his blog so I expect you have more insight into this than I would from the DVD extras. You are probably more current too, since those extras are a few years old.

But in any case, I have faith in HBO doing a decent job. HBO has a pretty good track record with their premier shows.
 

mscriv

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2008
4,923
602
Dallas, Texas
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it already, but I think the most exciting part of the last episode was finding out that Yara is taking Theon and the fleet to join with Daenerys across the sea. I guess we now know how the mother of dragons is going to get her army to Westeros.
 

thewitt

macrumors 68020
Sep 13, 2011
2,102
1,523
Just don't get too far ahead of me Sunday night. I'll be recording GoT so that I can watch the Tonies. (I have eclectic tastes.)
You can't really catch up now. The show is well into the final book now - which isn't released yet. It actually isn't written yet...
 

Huntn

macrumors Core
Original poster
May 5, 2008
23,972
27,055
The Misty Mountains
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it already, but I think the most exciting part of the last episode was finding out that Yara is taking Theon and the fleet to join with Daenerys across the sea. I guess we now know how the mother of dragons is going to get her army to Westeros.

It's also the intent of her Uncle, Euron Greyjoy to head across the sea and enlist himself to Daenery's cause, oh plus Tryion and Lord Varys. Everyone wants to be The Mother of Dragon's friend. :D
 

zmunkz

macrumors 6502a
Nov 4, 2007
921
229
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it already, but I think the most exciting part of the last episode was finding out that Yara is taking Theon and the fleet to join with Daenerys across the sea. I guess we now know how the mother of dragons is going to get her army to Westeros.

I want impressed by that bit. It seems like a super last-minute patch to bring a story line closer to the book, but I have trouble seeing how they can do anything interesting with the time left. Danny isn't even in Mereen at the moment, so what, they will get there with a couple episodes to go before the end of the series?

Its not like they can offer her the thousand boats she needs.
 

Huntn

macrumors Core
Original poster
May 5, 2008
23,972
27,055
The Misty Mountains
In HBO's defense it's kind of hard when GRRM hasn't finished his 6th book, so I really don't see a good conclusion coming from GOT. That is unless GRRM gets off his duff and finishes GOT, but even then I don't see a satisfactory ending. He seems to find a fascination in letting the "bad" guys win or changing the characters a little to make the more of a better person (King's Slayer?). I don't see any good in Ramsay at all and it would be foolish if the TV writers or GRRM did that to that character. An what a despicable ending if Ramsay came out on top. :mad:

My speculation is that GRRM has given the main story outline to the Producers. For no specific reason, I believe the ending is known. If there is writers block, I'd hope that it's for fleshing out all of the subplots, after all we are watching the barebones outline of the story on HBO. :)
 

Roller

macrumors 68030
Jun 25, 2003
2,956
2,171
My speculation is that GRRM has given the main story outline to the Producers. For no specific reason, I believe the ending is known. If there is writers block, I'd hope that it's for fleshing out all of the subplots, after all we are watching the barebones outline of the story on HBO. :)

GRRM has shared key events in the narrative with Benioff and Weiss. As Entertainment Weekly put it:

"During the producers’ sit down with the author in Santa Fe two years ago, Martin famously sketched out a very rough plan of how he intends to end his saga in the books. Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss tell EW those conversations included 'three holy sh– moments' in particular."

The first two were Shireen's sacrifice and Hodor's origin story. The last one will come at the show's finale. But we already know that the books and series have diverged significantly, so even if GRRM sticks with the conclusion that he divulged, the path there will be different. I wonder if that will be enough to entice readers to keep going after GoT ends, assuming Martin actually completes the book series. If I were a Song of Ice and Fire reader, which I'm not, I probably would keep going because of the richness of detail that the television version can't provide. After all, I stayed until Titanic was over despite knowing that
the ship sinks. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: S.B.G

Huntn

macrumors Core
Original poster
May 5, 2008
23,972
27,055
The Misty Mountains
GRRM has shared key events in the narrative with Benioff and Weiss. As Entertainment Weekly put it:

"During the producers’ sit down with the author in Santa Fe two years ago, Martin famously sketched out a very rough plan of how he intends to end his saga in the books. Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss tell EW those conversations included 'three holy sh– moments' in particular."

The first two were Shireen's sacrifice and Hodor's origin story. The last one will come at the show's finale. But we already know that the books and series have diverged significantly, so even if GRRM sticks with the conclusion that he divulged, the path there will be different. I wonder if that will be enough to entice readers to keep going after GoT ends, assuming Martin actually completes the book series. If I were a Song of Ice and Fire reader, which I'm not, I probably would keep going because of the richness of detail that the television version can't provide. After all, I stayed until Titanic was over despite knowing that
the ship sinks. :)

Titanic was a great movie because of the combination of an intriquing personal story woven into a supurb depiction of this event, of which the former, we were not familiar with. :)

Regarding ASOIAF, seeing the movie/show first has never hindered me from reading the book which in most cases is a richer experience, especially in this case. HBO version = minimalist outline. ;)

The primary advantage of media is showing you something you really can't imagine in all it's glory.

The Battle of Pelennor Fields (LOTR)

Legolas Slays Oliphant​
 
Last edited:

Roller

macrumors 68030
Jun 25, 2003
2,956
2,171
I know that tonight's episode was largely a setup for the last two of the season, but I was still disappointed by some parts:
  • After all the intrigue from last week, was it really just the Waif chasing Arya all the time? And no explantation of how Arya survived the attack and was able to jump out of windows after just a little TLC from Lady Crane?
  • I laughed once or twice during the Tyrion/Missandei/Grey Worm joke scene, but it was out of place and a waste of precious screen time. There are better uses for Peter Dinklage's talent.
  • Dany showing up when she did seemed just a little too convenient.

    On the other hand...
  • Cersei is really backed into a corner now, and she can't count on being saved by a trial by combat any more. I think that her conversation with Qyburn confirmed that there's a ton of wildfire ready for her to unleash.
  • The scene between Brienne and Jaime was well done. The mutual respect showed. Will Jaime head on back to King's Landing or do something else?
  • Looks like we get to see the battle for Winterfell next week.
BTW, if Cleganebowl (The Mountain vs. The Hound) isn't going to happen, I'd like to see The Mountain fight Wun Wun, maybe with Sandor as ref. :)
 

ritmomundo

macrumors 68020
Jan 12, 2011
2,041
586
Los Angeles, CA
^ Agreed with most everything you said. I'm bummed my Arya-is-Jaqen theory didn't pan out, but wish the Waif/Arya duel had a bit more fight to it, as it was somewhat anticlimactic. And Dany showing up right then seemed so random. :confused:

Cersei's smirking expression during the "I choose violence" scene. :eek: I really hope the next 2 episodes deliver.
 
  • Like
Reactions: S.B.G

C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
I know that tonight's episode was largely a setup for the last two of the season, but I was still disappointed by some parts:
  • After all the intrigue from last week, was it really just the Waif chasing Arya all the time? And no explantation of how Arya survived the attack and was able to jump out of windows after just a little TLC from Lady Crane?
  • I laughed once or twice during the Tyrion/Missandei/Grey Worm joke scene, but it was out of place and a waste of precious screen time. There are better uses for Peter Dinklage's talent.
  • Dany showing up when she did seemed just a little too convenient.

    On the other hand...
  • Cersei is really backed into a corner now, and she can't count on being saved by a trial by combat any more. I think that her conversation with Qyburn confirmed that there's a ton of wildfire ready for her to unleash.
  • The scene between Brienne and Jaime was well done. The mutual respect showed. Will Jaime head on back to King's Landing or do something else?
  • Looks like we get to see the battle for Winterfell next week.
BTW, if Cleganebowl (The Mountain vs. The Hound) isn't going to happen, I'd like to see The Mountain fight Wun Wun, maybe with Sandor as ref. :)
The Waif? You mean the T-1000? ;)
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.